Newsletter: April 2017

In this issue we focus on energy, imagining the energy of the future and nanotechnology delivering clean and sustainable power. Energy security is a big deal for most countries and the demand for energy often outstrips the supply. Electricity is still produced largely from fossil fuels that generate harmful greenhouse gases, a leading cause of climate change.

The 6th Gauteng Nanosciences’ Young Researchers Symposium (NYRS-2016) was hosted by the DST/MINTEK Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, at MINTEK, Randburg on 18 November 2016. The Gauteng NYRS is an annual event organised by the host institution and the SANi Student Chapter.

A variety of sources are available for energy collection in natural world. One of the available renewable energy resources is solar energy, which is by far the most abundant. More energy is provided to the Earth by sunlight radiation within one hour than is consumed yearly by the entire human civilisation across the world.

South Africa plays an important role in the ‘Hydrogen Economy’ in an effort to establish clean and reliable alternative energy sources. Hydrogen energy is being considered as one of the most plausible choices for alternative energy and as an energy-carrier, due to the abundance of elemental hydrogen on the planet.

Nanotechnology research, development and application are relevant and potentially beneficial to almost every facet of our lives. Many benefits of nanotechnology rely on the possibility to alter the structures of materials at extremely small scales to achieve specific properties which improve the materials’ capabilities.

“Developed nanoproducts are inspired by nature”. So say Musee, Foladori and Azoulay from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in the publication ‘Social and Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology Development in Africa’.

Several ways and means have been established for the conversion of mechanical energy into electricity, generally by way of electromagnetic induction, static-electricity generation, or piezoelectric materials. Vibration-based mechanical energy is ever-present in the environment and readily accessible.

Applications of nanotechnology are delivering solutions to the challenges that are facing society. Nanotechnologists are finding applications in traditional energy sources and are greatly enhancing alternative energy approaches to help meet increasing energy demands.

The Kenya Chemical Society and the United States International University-Africa extend their invitation to Chemists and other Scientists in related fields to attend the 9th International KCS conference at the Auditorium, United States International University–Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.

This conference will also bring together a multidisciplinary cross section of delegates from different scientific areas specializing in all aspects of nanosafety. The theme of the conference is ‘Closing the gaps in nanosafety’, and the program will include keynote speakers, thematic sessions, oral sessions, and poster sessions.

I would like to extend a warm invitation to you to attend the Inorganic 2017 conference in June 2017, to be held in the Western Cape Province. This event incorporates both the national Inorganic Chemistry Conference and Carman Physical Chemistry Symposium of the South African Chemical Institute.

Nanotech France 2017 brings together leading scientists, researchers, engineers, practitioners, technology developers and policy makers in nanotechnology to exchange information on their latest research progress and innovation. Participants from the top international academic, government and private industry labs of different disciplines participate.

In the XXI-st century crystallography has become the most important experimental method for chemical structure investigations. It is extremely fast, reliable and may be used in different environments, including mother solutions in which crystals are grown, elevated pressures and variable temperatures.

The 7th Annual World Congress of Nano Science and Technology-2017 (Nano S&T-2017) will be held in Japan during October 24-26, 2017. It covers all frontier topics in advanced nanomaterials, nanoelectronics, applications of nanotechnology, nanomedicine and biomaterials, etc.